2016 Ford Taurus Will Be Quicker, Lighter

DETROIT — Ford's redesigned 2016 Taurus will be lighter, faster and more fuel efficient when it goes on sale in the third quarter of 2015, Edmunds has learned.

The car's weight is expected to be reduced and a nine-speed automatic transmission will be offered as part of an effort to improve the big car's fuel economy and performance, an industry source with knowledge of the redesign told Edmunds. Additionally, the redesigned Taurus will share a front-drive vehicle platform with the Ford Fusion. The current Taurus was developed on a modified Volvo platform.

Looking forward to this car. Be nice to see it on a good platform for once. If the current weighs roughly 3800-3900 lbs for the base V6 I am curious how much lighter this thing will get? The smaller Fusion is in the 3400-3700 lb weight range so can't see the Taurus becoming radically lighter.
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-Wheelbase will grow a few inches. Should have a larger rear overhang than Fusion.

-2.0T or a variant of it (2.3T?) will probably be standard. Base 3.5 V6 may be scrapped.

-Expect a weight reduction of around 200-300 lbs. Base FWD 2.0T models should weigh around 3700-3800 lbs, far less than the current FWD 2.0T Taurus at 4000 lbs.

-Not sure if SHO will continue on with the 3.5T V6. This engine cannot fit in the Fusion and may still not fit in the new Taurus. However, Ford's new Nano engines do fit and may make more sense. We may see a 2.7-2.9T Nano V6 for SHO instead.

I expect Ecoboost 4cyls to be the only available engines. The 2.3 Ecoboost with 275+hp and 300 lb-ft of torque would be more than enough for a Sport version. Sounds like the new 9 speed will debut with this car hopefully at launch.
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As an 2010 SHO owner I would say the major thing the SHO needs for better performance is a diet. The engine is a peach but it's moving a lot of car around. What the Taurus really needs is better packaging which it sounds like it will get on a modified Fusion platform. I suspect the 3.5 EB will continue in the SHO and the 2.7EB from the new F-150 will find its way under the hood as well. 2.3EB, 2.7EB and 3.5EB would be a pretty potent engine lineup.
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As an 2010 SHO owner I would say the major thing the SHO needs for better performance is a diet. The engine is a peach but it's moving a lot of car around. What the Taurus really needs is better packaging which it sounds like it will get on a modified Fusion platform. I suspect the 3.5 EB will continue in the SHO and the 2.7EB from the new F-150 will find its way under the hood as well. 2.3EB, 2.7EB and 3.5EB would be a pretty potent engine lineup.
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Although on paper, this looks like a good move. However, keeping the Taurus is a drag on resources and will become another car that steals sales away from other Ford models while most of these will end up in fleets. I guess if the government and businesses see the appeal then why not. It will help keep Fusion fleet down. Also, the Fusion needs to continue to be class leading or near it for future development. The Taurus going on the same platform seems more of a distraction and less viable car to keep.

and yea, it also makes buying a Lincoln less relevant.
_________________________________________________________What do you drive? American prosperity starts with the keys in your hands***************************If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said ‘faster horses--**Henry Ford

On perseverance: “If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it.” Elon Musk~~Tesla

-Dequindre-:I'm worried about using the same platform as the Fusion. Putting two cars on the same platform when they're already close in size is a risky move.

Ford will need something to keep the police market, so I'd imagine there will be some kind of V6.

I don't see it as a risky move. The wheelbase on the new Taurus will be at least three inches longer and I'm sure the packaging will be better. I'm sure they've learned from GM with the Malibu and Impala.

This article didn't state anything that we didn't already know.
__________________1997 Ford Taurus GL 214,000 miles and counting2013 Ford Taurus SEL 19,000 miles1989 Chrysler LeBaron 55,000 milesR.I.P Mercury and the Grand Marquis 1/4/11 @7:46 a.m.Ford Panther Platform: 1978-2011Broughams are meant for cruising the highway and the boulevard, not the quarter mile. Enjoying the ride, instead of getting it over with as soon as possible.